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We mentioned last night on the blog that there are some eligibility concerns with Greg Wesley. After asking around, here is the story. The freshman forward is awaiting word from the NCAA on whether or not he will be academically eligible this season. The NCAA has the case in its hands. There were some rumblings dating back to the summer about whether or not Wesley would qualify. Those questions are still lingering. Benford acknowledged them after UNT beat Southeastern Oklahoma State at home on Monday. Wesley has not played in either of UNTs exhibition games. Right now we are still dealing with some eligibility issues, Benford said. We are waiting to hear back from the NCAA. Read More: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/11/the-story-on-greg-wesley.html/

DENTON The North Texas men survived a ragged performance before finally shaking off Oklahoma City in the closing minutes for a 78-70 win in an exhibition game Friday night at the Super Pit. The Mean Green struggled on offense, shooting 38.6 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from the free throw line. This is why you play exhibition games, North Texas coach Tony Benford said. We have some things we need to clean up, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Benford also said the team would have to adjust to new hand-check rules this season, evidenced by an average of almost 1 1/2 called fouls per minute of play. Any contact, and theyre going to call you, Benford said. We have to get better at recognizing that as a team. We have to defend without fouling. Teams across the country are going to have to adjust the way they play. Chris Jones and Jordan Williams led the way for UNT with 16 and 12 points respectively, and Keith Coleman and transfers T.J. Taylor (from Marquette) and Armani Flannigan (from Central Wyoming State) had strong efforts as well. Coleman had 11 points and eight rebounds, Taylor had 10 points and two steals, and Flannigan pulled down 10 rebounds and added six points and a block. Both teams suffered through an offensive drought in the opening period, combining to hit 29.5 percent of their shots from the field and making just 18 field goals in the first half. They combined to shoot just 38.3 percent for the game. Oklahoma City shot more free throw attempts than field goals. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/01/5298776/unt-survives-exhibition-test.html#storylink=cpy

I was unable to make the exhibition on Friday. Anyone care to comment on the improvement seen from Keith Coleman? Heard he looks like a different player.

DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern will finish off its exhibition schedule when it makes the relatively short trip to Denton, Texas, to face its third-straight division I opponent when it faces North Texas at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 4. The Savage Storm are 0-2 in its exhibition season so far with losses to Texas-San Antonio and Texas-El Paso, and following Monday's contest they will be eying the regular season opener on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Bloomer Sullivan Arena against Science and Arts of Oklahoma. The Mean Green come into the contest off a 78-70 win over Oklahoma City Univ. after trailing 35-34 at halftime. SE opened the schedule with an 80-60 loss at UTSA and followed with a 91-63 loss at UTEP. Despite falling in those contests, the Storm had some good signs heading into Monday's final precursor to the regular season, not the least of which has been the play of Urald King in his return to the floor. Read more: http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_86225.shtml

I stopped by the opening day of basketball practice for the UNT men this afternoon and shot the video at the top of this post. I talked to Brandan Walton and Chris Jones about the start of practice. I also talked to a Tony Benford for a story that will appear in tomorrows paper. I wont give it all away, but here is the key quote: "We are excited", Benford said. "We have a great group of guys with character. We are all disappointed in last year. Im accountable and take responsibility. Its on me. [uNT athletic director Rick Villarreal] hired me to take this program to another level. We have some pieces in place to change the record we had last year." Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2013/09/unt-first-day-of-hoops-practice-video-notes-quotes.html/